The present work examines the impact of pulse pressure as a footprint of vascular ageing on cardiovascular benefits of endurance training in elderly hypertensives. METHODS AND RESULTS: 54 patients ≥ 60 years with antihypertensive treatment and diastolic 24h-ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) ≤ 90 mmHg are randomly assigned to sedentary activity or a heart-rate controlled 12 week exercise program, consisting of walking on a treadmill at target lactate concentrations of 2.5 ± 0.5 mmol/l. 24h-ambulatory blood pressure, physical performance, arterial elasticity, endothelium-derived vasodilation, quality of life, and weight are assessed at baseline and follow-up.